LETTERS TO LACCS-UK 1983-2024

London wouldn't be the same without the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society (LACCS-UK), an independent professional organisation that brings the best music of Latin America and elsewhere to this city, which is so welcoming to foreign cultures. Having presented more than 300 artists during two decades of activities, in 2007 LACCS-UK is celebrating its twenty-fourth anniversary with music from the four corners of the globe.

The society's president and founder, the Chilean professor and artistic sponsor J.R. Monroy, looks back and talks to us about the arduous but rewarding task of bringing classical Latin American music to the English capital.

Farewell Concert and Reception at Canning House, London, Julio 1987. Prof. J R Monroy, Director of The Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society (LACCS-UK) presented to Mr John M. Heath, Director General of The Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Council, with a crystal decanter, on behalf of the Society members and the Ambassadors of Latin America accredited at the Court of St. James's. The decanters were engraved with the names of the Latin American Republics. The concert was given by the Mexican pianist, Patricia Romero, and her repertoire included music by Latin American composers.

Monday 12th December 1988 Royal Lancaster Hotel CANTATA ORATORIO COLOMBO by Carlos Gomes (1836-1896) European Premier. Opera singers: Geoffrey Davidson, Baritone. Alan Fairs, Basso. Conchita Antunâno, Soprano Richard Berkeley-Steele, Tenor Anthea Graville, Soprano. Jeremy Wilkin, Old Vic Company Actor. Steven Naylor, Musical Director and Pianist. Event organised in association with the Brazilian and Italian Embassies. Centre: H.E. Senhor Celso de Souza e Silva, Ambassador of Brazil (host), left: H.E. Archbishop Luigi Barbarito, Apostolic Nuncio and Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps. Left: Prof. J R Monroy, LACCS-UK Director. Amongst others were represented their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Korea, Iceland, Egypt, Malta, Morocco, Luxembourg, Italy, Austria, and the High Commissioners for Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Eastern Caribbean Islands, and many others distinguished guests.

How would you sum up these last 24 years?

"Twenty years is nothing", in the words of the tango "Volver", which was written in 1935 by Alfredo Lepera, and interpreted by the great tango singer Carlos Gardel. This song has been very important to all Latin Americans who live far from our countries of origin.

Cultural identity is important in order to survive in a foreign country, and in this sense I believe that our cultural and artistic activity over the past 24 years has strengthened the understanding of Latin American culture in Great Britain. That is, I believe that our efforts haven't been in vain and that we have acted as pioneers in bringing Latin American culture to the British public. I remember that 25 years ago there were no Spanish-language newspapers or magazines in London and that the general public in London had only a limited understanding of Latin American culture, and little knowledge of the history and geography of the continent. There was no public organisation to demonstrate the wealth of Latin American culture, and this has been our mission for the past two decades.

How was LACCS-UK born?

The creation of an independent organisation was a necessity of its time, perhaps for the first generation of Latin American emigrants who had been obliged to migrate to Europe - many of them to the UK - during the 1970s and 1980s. LACCS-UK was born as an idea or project to represent our cultural values, and in the end we decided on classical music and traditional music, given that these seemed to be the least well-known areas to the British public at that time. Of course, things are different today, and I think that to some modest extent we have contributed to the respect that we have now gained in the field of classical music.

CONCERT BY COLOMBIAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN COMPOSERS. Tuesday, 23rd February 1988 at 7.30 p.m. LACCS-UK Presentation by J R Monroy St. John's Smith Square. Mezzo Soprano: MARTHA SENN (Left) Piano: HELVIA MENDOZA (Right) The singer mezzo-soprano Martha Senn, made an impressive debut in a full house at St. John's Smith Square, accompanied by pianist Helvia Mendoza. The soprano created an enthusiastic atmosphere singing beautiful songs by composers such as Guillermo Uribe Olguin, (1880-1971), Jacqueline Nova (1938-1975), Blas Emilio Atehortua (1938), Adolfo Mejia (1905-1971), Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983), Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) and Carlos Guastavino (1912- 1998).

The Embassy of the Argentine Republic and LACCS-UK proudly presents: MUSIC FROM ARGENTINA AND THE ANDES. In the presence of H.E. the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic and Señora Magdalena Cåmpora. Wednesday 7th November 1990 at 8.00 P.M. PURCELL ROOM, South Bank Centre, SE1. EDUARDO FALU, guitar (left) JAIME TORRES (Charango) and his Folk Group.

You have played an important role in making sure that Latin American music has its deserved presence in England. What satisfaction do you gain from this at a personal level?

The early years of our work were the most difficult, given the lack of knowledge about Latin American music, artists and composers. It took a lot of effort to convince, first the public, and then London's major concert halls, in order to present some of the best musicians from countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Panama and Guatemala. In all these cases we brought excellent musicians from each country. For example, we were able to première at the Royal Festival Hall in 1994 the "Misa Criolla", with its composer Ariel Ramirez, and the Royal Choral Society and an Argentinean folklore group. An important point is that the "Misa Criolla", which was renowned internationally and had its première in Buenos Aires in 1964, had to wait 30 years before its first performance in London. Another notable example was the celebration of the centenary of the birth of the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos in 1987, at St John's Smith Square, with a symphony orchestra and a group of Argentinean singers and soloists. Among other important projects was the first concert of Mexican symphonic music in 1993 at the Barbican, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Enrique Diemecke at the invitation of LACCS-UK. With the English Chamber Orchestra we presented a number of concerts of Latin American music between 1980 and 1990; and in the Royal Festival Hall we introduced the music of Eduardo Falú, Francisco Migone, Radamés Gnattali, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Laurindo Almeida, with the participation of the great Brazilian guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima. Another resounding success was the celebration of 100 years of tango, with the orchestra of Mariano Mores and its 1997 première at the Royal Festival Hall with more than 100 musicians, dancers and chorus, a great musical and cultural spectacle that is remembered even today. We could continue listing many other valuable experiences, but every concert has made a contribution to our musical and cultural identity.

Brazilian contribution to the Quincentenary of Christopher Columbus. CARLOS BARBOSA LIMA and The Wren Orchestra of London, Conducted by MARTYN BRABBINS 3rd April 1992 at 7.30 PM. St John's Smith Square, London SW. Guest Artists: LAURINDO ALMEIDA GAUDENCIO THIAGO DE MELLO LACCS-UK AWARD 1992 TO LAURINDO ALMEIDA for his life dedication to the music of Brazil. Left: Prof. J. R. Monroy, then Director of LACCS-UK, embraced Laurindo Almeida and presented to the composer and musician the LACCS-UK Award 1992.

THE EMBASY OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT AND THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN CULTURAL SOCIETY (LACCS-UK) Present a programme of music for cello and piano from Europe and Egypt. PURCELL ROOM, RFH TUESDAY 6th March 1990 at 8.00 p.m. NAGY EL HABASHY, Cello, Egypt. PATRICIA ROMERO, Piano (Mexico). In the presence of H.E. Mr Mohamed I Shaker Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt. At the stage of the Purcell Room, RFH. (Left) pianist Patrica Romero, and (right), cellist, Nagi El Habashy, both musicians were acclaimed by the audience at the Purcell Room.

How has the perception of Latin American music changed in Europe in recent years?

A great deal, I believe. Apart from our work at LACCS-UK, the contribution of performers and composers, today there is a new generation of talent and new cultural movements are appearing with the aim of extracting the best of each country in order to diffuse it abroad. LACCS-UK has been the pioneering organisation - if not the only one - which has systematically encouraged the importing of our cultural values into Europe. I think that today conditions are far more favourable than in past decades, with the development of electronic communications, television, cable, etc., which have allowed our culture to become better known around the world.

For you, what is music?

Music is an important creative and recreational expression of every country's national culture. In the case of Latin America, it is important for our musical identity to be recognised, to export it and teach it in educational institutions and encourage knowledge about it through musical activities such as recitals and concerts. I recall that Heitor Villa-Lobos, considering the value of the music of his country and in general, in 1945-46 was promoting mass musical activities in Brazil, organising huge choirs and popularising Brazilian rhythms. The example of Villa-Lobos is very clear, and it represents the love of his country's musical tradition with which he, as a composer and promoter of events, felt identified.

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society (LACCS-UK). Present HASSAN KAMY, Tenor IMAN MOUSTAFA, Soprano STEVEN NAYLOR, Pianist ARIAS AND SONGS IN THE BEL CANTO TRADITION 15th May 1992 at.7.30 p.m. St. John's Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA In the presence of H.E. Dr Mohamed I. Shaker The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt. At the Crypt Restaurant of St. John's Smith Square, from left to right: Mrs Kamy, Hassan Kamy, tenor, Prof. J R Monroy, Director LACCS-UK, H.E. Dr Mohamed I. Shaker, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Iman Moustafa, soprano.

THE CHILEAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN CULTURAL SOCIETY (LACCS-UK), PRESENTS OSCAR OHLSEN MUSIC FROM CHILE AND THE AMERICAS Friday 26th February 1993 at 7.30 p.m. Wigmore Hall, London W1H 9DT Concert in the presence of H.E. the Ambassador of Chile and Senora Jaqueline Riesco. OSCAR OHLSEN, premier music by the Chilean composers Pablo Delano (b.1950) and Edmundo Vasquez (1938) and his own transcriptions and arrangements of Chilean Traditional music. From left to right: At the stage of the Wogmore Hall: H.E. Senor German Riesco, Ambassador of Chile, Mrs Jaqueline Riesco and guitarist Oscar Ohlsen.

Do you believe that London is the world's musical capital?

I think that London is one of the most musical cities of the world, with an almost inexhaustible number of events all around the English capital. For reasons that I don't fully understand, London has become the "City of Light", and I believe that our project has proved it to be so during these years of hard work in the area of music, which is one of the most competitive and advanced in the world.

What is the secret of a successful concert?

There is no secret - each person carries music in their heart, everyone hears and feels it in their own way, and it is through music that human beings have been able to communicate, even when the soul may be hidden and not wish to express itself. Music can make us feel happy, sad or nostalgic; in other words, music penetrates our hearts and helps us to balance our lived experience and overcome negative states of mind. A concert is made by the performer, the composer - and the judge is the audience.

VIETNAMESE TRADITIONAL SONG AND DANCE GROUP - LONDON DEBUT PURCELL ROOMM SOUTH BANK CENTRE, LONDON SE1 8XX In the presence of H.E. Mr Huynh Ngoc An Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (Centre): Ti Binh virtuoso performer of traditional instruments and Director of the Folk Music Department, School of Music and Arts in Hanoi, she was acclaimed after an outstanding performance, playing several folk Vietnamese instruments. (Right) Professor Hoang Chuong, Director of the Institute of Theatrical Arts in Hanoi.

MICHIO NISHIHARA TORO FIRST LONDON APPEARANCE AT THE PURCELL ROOM, RFH MONDAY 27th JULY 1998, 70 30 P.M. SPONSORED BY MINITERIO DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES, DIRECCION DE ASUNTOS CULTURALES E INFORMACION Y LA EMBAJADA DE CHILE EN LONDRES, INTERVAL RECEPTION AT THE FOYER OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL. From left to right: Prof. J R Monroy, Chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society (LACCS-UK), Juanita Sylvester, Director LACCS-UK, H.E. the High Commissioner for Mauritius, Mrs Boolell and H.E. Mario Artaza, Ambassador of Chile to the Court of St. James's.

Having represented more than 300 artists in these 24 years, could it be said that they are like a family that has been part of the development of this project?

The artists and composers that have been presented by LACCS-UK, with great success in the major concert halls of London, are part of our project's history; LACCS-UK couldn't exist without them. Every one of them has been a part of the musical body of LACCS-UK as well as contributing to the diffusion of their country's music in London. Their participation is fundamental and from this perspective these musicians are the heart of a musical programme for Latin America which has been unfolding continuously with the aim of sharing programmes, styles and musical forms with musicians from other continents.

How has the social panorama changed in this city during the last 24 years? Would you say it has been changing for the better or for the worse?

The Latin American or Spanish-speaking community has grown over the years, and this growth has resulted in the creation of social organisations that support the resident community. Latin Americans today are not so isolated or culturally marginalised as they once were, there is a community and its organisations which one way or another serve as a point of reference for survival, education or work. The Latin American family has a greater sense of solidarity, given that it has its own resources, media of diffusion, newspapers, radio and language schools, as well as social clubs for entertainment and meetings for the new generations. Here popular music is important, including classes in salsa, samba, tango and other Latin American rhythms.

Prof. J R Monroy, Chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society (left), and Juanita Sylvester, Executive Director, LACCS-UK, guests at ST JAMES'S CLUB in London, 2000. Both are admirers of Winston Churchill, one of the most celebrated and emblematic Prime Minister of British Modern History.	at the MUSICAL FESTIVAL IN ANKARA, TURKEY, 2002 (Left) Prof. J R Monroy, Chairman of the Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Society (LACCS-UK), (right), guitarist Ahmet Kanneci.

Are there any artists in particular who have left a special mark on LACCS-UK?

We will always remember Laurindo Almeida, who we were fortunate enough to bring to the Wigmore Hall in 1993, and in 1992 to honour him by playing his music at St John's Smith Square, with the Wren Orchestra, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, and Gaudencio Thiago de Mello on percussion. On that occasion LACCS-UK presented him with a diploma in recognition of his dedication to the promotion of the music of Brazil. We were lucky to spend some time with Laurindo and his wife, Didi, and get to know him personally, and his sense of humour was notable in addition to his immense musical talent as a composer and a performer.

Prof. J. R. Monroy, Chairman of the Latin
American and Caribbean Cultural Society,
LACCS-UK, with H.E. Senhor Jose Mauricio Bustani,
Ambassador of Brazil, on the occasion of
His Excellency presentation of Diplomatic
Credential to Her Majesty Elizabeth II.

How are you going to celebrate this important anniversary?

This year we are bringing some of the best artists from Latin America and we have also invited musicians from other countries. From Finland we are bringing Ismo Eskelinen, an extraordinary classical guitarist who will play several pieces from his country. Simon Schembri, from Malta, is making his contribution with music from his country and from Spain. Carlos Barbosa-Lima will be joined by Marcilio Lopes playing duos for guitar and mandolin in a programme of the best jazz from Brazil. Juanjo Dominguez and his guitar quartet, South American folk music, and the voice of Majo Lanzon. From Chile we are presenting five guitarists who will première works from that country: José Antonio Escobar, Carlos Pérez, Luis Orlandini, Oscar Ohlsen and Romilio Orellana. These concerts are being held at the Royal Festival Hall and Leighton House Museum. Later in the year we have invited a group of classical guitarists from Japan who will present a new repertoire of music from that country. For the end of the year we will be celebrating the 120th anniversary of the birth of Heitor Villa-Lobos, with first performances of previously unpublished works.

The second part of this concert series, which takes us to 2004, includes the world premiere of Angelo Gilardino's LiederKonzert for two guitars and chamber orchestra, a four-movement work lasting about 30 minutes. The concert, titled The Italian Guitar Traditions and featuring members of the English Chamber Orchestra, will take place on 25 February 2004. Sante Tursi (Italy), will start the first half of the concert with solo items by Gilardino, including his Sonata No.2 and three studies: No. 13, dedicated to the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda; No 35, a homage to Manuel Ponce; and No 40, dedicated to the Brazilian novelist Joao Guimaraes Rosa. Romilio Orellana (Chile) will join Tursi for the concerto.
Evidently, a bright future is ahead for LACCS-UK. I leave the conclusion in Monroy's own words: The guitar is the most important instrument that has been incorporated into LACCS-UK's annual programme of concerts. Today LACCS-UK is an international organisation working to promote the world of classical music and to make a contribution to build symbolic bridges and mutual cultural understanding between Latin America and all nations. I believe that LACCS-UK's mission has been fulfilled in bringing to the British audiences a new understanding of Latin American music and culture. In the next decades LACCS-UK will continue to grow and aims to reach, mainly in Europe, an even larger audience. This will be through other means other than only the concerts at international venues such as the Festival Hall. LACCS-UK will also strive to help the younger talent, especially those with the love and dedication towards the classical guitar.